Miami's troubles compounded by Bullygate

Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

The psyche of the Miami Dolphins has been dissected so thoroughly in the last couple of weeks, in newspaper columns and heated talking-head commentaries, it should be any time now that people start digging up Rorschach tests and thumbing through the volumes of Sigmund Freud.

The trouble is, amid the analysis the Dolphins still have to play football, and they did that badly on Monday night in a 22-19 loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And now, on a short week, Miami faces a desperate Chargers team with an identical record (4-5) ready to unload on somebody after two straight losses.

The distractions may be a nuisance for the Dolphins, but far worse are the on-the-field troubles and adjustments of losing two starting offensive linemen in one controversy – right tackle Jonathan Martin, who left the team because he felt he was being harassed, and left guard Richie Incognito, the alleged instigator of the hazing who has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.

Offensive line for the Dolphins was considered a homely quilt coming out of training camp, and now it’s really in tatters. Three different sets of players have started in the past three games. Tyson Clabo, who was benched before Bullygate, is back starting at right tackle, and backup Nate Garner is playing left guard.

The result? Against the Bucs the Dolphins had a positive 72 inches on the ground and only half of their first 14 running plays went for a gain. Before the controversy, they had games in which they netted 20 and 22 yards.

Head coach Joe Philbin attempted to shift the focus away from the line on Wednesday, saying in a conference call, “It’s not only the offensive linemen. It’s easy to say it’s their responsibility. They protected the quarterback very well until the last drive of the game.”

With a chance to mount a game-winning drive in the closing minutes, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked twice and threw an interception.

The Dolphins will get zero sympathy from the Chargers, given all of the putty they’ve needed at positions this season because of injuries, including O-line.

“I don't think you can completely grasp the challenge that is presented when you are faced with a shuffle like that,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said.

Said Chargers head coach Mike McCoy: “We can't worry about issues. No one is going to feel sorry for anyone on Sundays.”

The most difficult effect to gauge is how the negative attention and questions about the Dolphins “culture” have impacted the preparation and play of the team.

The Dolphins’ performance throughout the season might suggest that “distraction” talk is overblown. After winning its first three games, Miami lost four straight before the Martin-Incognito situation. The Dolphins won at home against Cincinnati on Halloween night, had to wait 11 days to lose at Tampa Bay, and now get five days to prepare for San Diego.

“I have full faith in the guys we have on our football team,” Philbin said before declining to answer further questions in relation to the scandal, citing the league’s ongoing investigation.